Kaplan gets by Franklin

Kaplan High School collected a 31-14 District 9-3A victory over the Franklin Senior High School Hornets Friday at J. C. Dry Stadium.

Kaplan (4-2, 3-0) cashed in on scoring chances in the second and fourth quarters to post the win over the Franklin Hornets (3-4, 0-3).

Kaplan dented the scoring column first with a 21-yard field goal from Isop Rochet with 1:34 remaining in the initial period for a 3-0 lead.

Franklin quickly answered with a clutch drive, culminating in a 40-yard touchdown run from Brian Robertson at 8:13 in the second quarter. Robertson, who led the Hornets in rushing with 10 carries for 68 yards, took the handoff from quarterback Jarion Brown before sprinting down the right sideline untouched for the touchdown. Brandon McFarlane booted the extra point, giving Franklin a 7-3 lead at the 8:13 mark of the second quarter.

Kaplan struck for two quick touchdowns, taking advantage of a pair of miscues by the Hornets to build an 18-7 halftime cushion.

With 1:19 remaining in second period, Kaplan‘s Chance Clanet scored on a two-yard run before Rochet tacked on the extra point, handing the KHS Pirates a 10-7 advantage.

A short time later, Cane Cambell hauled in a 40-yard scoring strike from D. Davis before T. Broussard scored on a two-point conversion, sending KHS outfront by the 18-7 margin with 18 seconds left in the first half.

In the third quarter, Franklin sliced Kaplan’s 18-7 lead down to 18-14 on a 22-yard touchdown scamper by Brown. Franklin capped a sustained drive when Brown called his own number and weaved his way for the 22-yard score. McFarlane made good on the extra point as Franklin pulled within four points of Kaplan at 18-14 with 3:35 showing on the clock in the third quarter.

On the night, Robertson was the Hornets’ top ground gainer with 10 carries for 68 yards and one touchdown. Brown finished with five totes for 33 yards and one TD while Brandon McFarlane had three carries for 46 yards and LaShon Johnson picked up six yards on one carry.

Brown completed 2 of 8 passes for 21 yards with one interception.

Brennan Robinson had one catch for seven yards while LaShon Johnson hauled in one pass for 14 yards.

Franklin (3-4, 0-3) will play host to the Erath Bobcats on Friday in District 9-3A action beginning at 7 p.m. at J. C. Dry Stadium.